Misconceptions are often repeated and widely accepted without individuals fact-checking the information they’ve heard. History and science facts are commonly misunderstood and retold to unsuspecting listeners. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most persistent myths and unravel the truth hidden behind them.
We Only Use 10% of Our Brain
The myth that humans only use 10% of their brains is not supported by any scientific evidence. Neuroimaging has shown that all parts of the brain have a function and are active at various times. This misconception may stem from a misunderstanding of how brain potential or brain reserve works.
Vikings Wore Horned Helmets
Contrary to popular depictions, there is no evidence that Vikings wore horned helmets in battle. Archaeological finds from the Viking age show that their helmets were typically conical, made from hard leather with wood and metals. The horned helmet image was popularized by 19th-century artists and later reinforced by media and folklore.
Goldfish Have a Three-Second Memory
Goldfish actually have quite impressive memories for fish, able to remember up to several months. This myth undermines their proven abilities to be trained to respond to various stimuli over time. Researchers have shown that goldfish can remember feeding times and mazes.
Humans Swallow Eight Spiders a Year in Their Sleep
This urban legend has been thoroughly debunked by arachnologists; there is no evidence to support this claim. Spiders generally avoid humans, and the vibrations caused by a sleeping person would likely deter any spider. This misconception likely persists due to its shock value and common arachnophobia.
Sugar Makes Children Hyperactive
Multiple scientific studies have found no link between sugar consumption and hyperactivity in children. This belief might stem from a misunderstanding of sugar rushes or parents observing excitement during events with sugary foods like birthday parties. Behavioral expectations and environments are more likely the cause of perceived hyperactivity.
Dogs See in Black and White
Dogs do see in color, though not as vividly as humans. They typically see colors on a blue and yellow scale but lack the ability to perceive red and green. This misconception may arise from the outdated belief that animals cannot see any colors.
Shaving Hair Makes It Grow Back Thicker
Shaving does not affect the thickness or rate of hair growth. Hair may appear thicker initially because shaving creates a blunt tip on the hairs, which feel coarser as they grow out. The thickness, color, and growth rate of hair are determined by genetics.
Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice
Lightning can strike the same place more than once and often strikes tall, isolated objects repeatedly. For instance, the Empire State Building is struck by lightning about 23 times a year. This saying is likely metaphorical, emphasizing the rarity of certain events.
Humans Have Five Senses
While the five traditional senses—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch—are commonly recognized, humans have many more. These include senses for balance, temperature, kinesthetic sense, pain, and more. The limitation to five senses is a simplification that stems from ancient Greek philosophy.
Einstein Failed Mathematics
Albert Einstein actually excelled in mathematics from a young age. The myth that he failed mathematics likely stems from a misunderstanding or mistranslation of his early school marks from the German system. Einstein himself joked about this misconception in his later years.
The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space
This myth might have been popularized by the writings of Richard Halliburton decades before humans went to space. Astronauts have confirmed that, under normal conditions, no specific human-made structures are visible from orbit.
Bulls Hate Red
Bulls, like other cattle, are actually colorblind to red. The motion of the matador’s cape is what provokes the bull’s reaction in a bullfight, not the color. The misconception persists because of the traditional use of a red cape, or muleta, and its dramatic contrast with the arena.
Chameleons Change Color for Camouflage
While chameleons do change color, it is more often used to communicate their physiological condition, to react to temperature changes, or to express their mood. Camouflage is a secondary benefit. The ability of chameleons to change color is due to specialized cells in their skin.
Bats Are Blind
Most bat species have quite good eyesight. They use echolocation to navigate and hunt in the dark, which is probably why this myth exists. Their ability to “see” using sound is so acute that they can detect objects as fine as a human hair in complete darkness.
Swallowing Gum Stays in Your Stomach for Seven Years
Swallowed gum passes through the digestive system more or less intact and is exonerated within a few days. The misconception might come from a parent’s caution to prevent kids from swallowing gum.
Ostriches Stick Their Heads in the Sand
Ostriches lie low and press their heads to the ground in an attempt to make themselves less visible. This behavior might have been misinterpreted as burying their head in the sand.
Seasons Are Caused by Earth’s Distance from the Sun
Seasons are actually caused by the tilt of the Earth’s axis, not by the distance from the sun. During summer, the hemisphere tilted toward the sun experiences longer days and more direct sunlight; during winter, the tilt is away, leading to shorter days and less direct sunlight.
The Five-Second Rule
The five-second rule, which suggests food dropped on the floor is safe to eat if picked up quickly, has no scientific basis. Bacteria can attach to food almost instantly. The safety of eating dropped food depends more on the cleanliness of the surface it fell on than on how quickly it is picked up.
Water Conducts Electricity
It’s actually the minerals and impurities in the water that conduct electricity, not the water itself. Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity. The misconception is dangerous because it underestimates the risk of electrocution in everyday situations involving water.
Sushi Means Raw Fish
“Sushi” refers to a dish that uses vinegared rice and can include a variety of ingredients, including raw fish, vegetables, and occasionally tropical fruits. The confusion likely stems from the popular association of sushi with sashimi, which is specifically sliced raw fish.
Reading in Dim Light Ruins Your Eyesight
Reading in dim light does not cause lasting damage to your eyesight. It can strain your eyes and cause temporary discomfort, but it does not worsen vision permanently. This myth may persist in parents trying to protect their children from eye strain.
